Day three of the Senate Finance Committee mark up of the America's Healthy Future Act is underway. Highlights from the morning session include a definition of perspicacious from Senator Jon Kyl as well as Senator Chuck Grassley advising Senator Chuck Schumer to look into red yeast rice and omega-3 pills as an alternative to Lipitor.

As for amendments, progress is a slow, but steady, with Democrats and Republicans sticking close to party lines.

Republicans introduced several amendments relating to Medicare Advantage. Democrats want to lower government subsidies to these private plans and introduce competitive bidding to promote competition and choice while reducing costs. Republicans claim this will lead to a loss of benefits, especially in rural regions. Neither side seems willing to budge.

On Medicare Part D, Senator Bill Nelson introduced an amendment to "eliminate the Part D coverage gap and require drug maker rebates for full-benefit dual eligible individuals," in manner similar to legislation in the House. (Dual eligibles are old enough for Medicare and poor enough for Medicaid.) Democratic Senators Baucus , Carper, and Menendez voted against this amendment (which was defeated 10-13). Baucus vowed to work to find other ways to close the so-called donut hole for prescription drugs.

Meanwhile, Senator Blanche Lincoln introduced an amendment that would raise the average wage threshold for which small businesses would receive the full tax credit to help them purchase coverage for their workers. Currently the credit begins to phase out at for firms with average wages over $20,000. Lincoln's amendment would raise that threshold to $30,000 expanding the availability of the of credit to more small businesses. Praised by Baucus and Snowe, the amendment was temporarily withdrawn until the CBO scores it and offsets are determined.

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